Today I popped by our local NBC-affiliate news station for a segment on the top fall sweater trends. In case you didn’t have a chance to check out the show, I’ve got the list for you right here! After all, it’s beginning to be that time of season to stock up on some new winter-ready threads. Starting with…

Basic Beauties

{Miu Miu Cashmere Sweater/Vivienne Westwood Cardigan/McQ Alexander McQueen Cable Knit Sweater}

It’s not quite “cold” here in AZ yet (I think it was in the 90s yesterday!) but it is cold in the mornings and evenings, too. That’s what makes the light cardigan such an essential wardrobe piece. They’re easy to layer under jackets and blazers for evening and can be stashed at your office desk, in your car or purse. Stock up on several to easily mix and match pieces.

Jewel-Tones

{Oscar de la Renta Bolero/Eli Tahari Tunic Sweater/Lafayette 148 Dolman-Sleeve Sweater}

This season is all about jewel tones. Beautiful berrys and rich emerald greens are the two must-have colors for fall, and they’ll look great for the holidays, too.

Fur-Trimmed

{Alberto Makali Cape/Loro Piana Fur Vest/Sofia Cashmere Cardigan/Theory Fur-Collar Cardigan}

Fur coats tend to be strong fall trends, but aren’t exactly practical for the weather here. A great way to channel that trend and still have something wearable is with a fur-trimmed sweater. From vests and cardigans to elegant sweaters, choices abound. Make it your splurge of the season, a little luxury is always nice.

Chunky Sweaters

{Vince Ribbed Chunky Cardigan/Autumn Cashmere Chunky Cable Sweater}

Nothing screams winter like a cozy, chunky sweater. Cardigans, cable-knit sweaters and oversized-toppers are great weekend wear, paired with comfortable leggings or your favorite pair of skinny jeans.

Sequins and Shimmer

{Michael Michael Kors Foiled Fisherman Sweater/Neiman Marcus Sequined Sweater/St. John Collection Sequined Knit Sweater}

Beautiful, shimmery sweaters with metallic threads and sequin details just show you how the sweater is so much more than weekend wear. From jeans and leggings to little leather skirts, the fancy sweaters can be paired with just about anything and easily taken from day to night.

What’s your favorite fall sweater trend? 

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Bottega Veneta strappy sandals,$790. Wayne colbat blue dress, $485.  Michael Kors Gia Ostrich satchel, $895. Splendid neon yellow racerback tank,$95. Nars lipstick, $24.

After all the nude we’ve seen the past few seasons, a bit of color is definitely refreshing. And this spring 2012, the color splash is coming in with a bang. Though I’m personally not nuts for neon, there are some pieces that are fun and fresh to update your wardrobe. After all, who am I to say no to those peppy and fabulous Bottega Veneta strappy sandals? Definitely not me.

Are you feeling the neon trend for this spring?

 

neon

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I love socks. There are so many different kinds and so many ways to wear them that I feel they’re quite the under-appreciated fashion item. This fall, get creative with your favorite pairs and style them with boots. Here’s some looks to get your gears going.

Are you rocking socks and boots this season?

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My friends on Twitter are already complaining that at just 9am, it’s 103 degrees.

Yeah, it sucks. Fall fashion should be far from the mind. But in my very air-conditioned office stacked with fall fashion magazines, it isn’t. And if you’re also daydreaming of cooler days full of tights and leggings, have already stocked up on bright bold pants and glued your guide to transitioning to fall fashion to the fridge, you can certainly add another fall fashion trend to the “buy now” list: sheer.

How much more brilliant could this trend be? With a heat advisory out, of course I want to be in something breathable and sheer. Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Christian Dior and more designers just loved draping models in see-through fabrics.

For real-life wear, I’d absolutely recommend layering a plain tank underneath (visible nipples only work on the runway, after all.) Here’s some looks that are wearable and totally cute.

Embellished

 

Valentino makes it classy with a tank and black skirt

Toughen up the sheer with a patent leather skirt

Wear now with shorts. Come fall, try jeans or a black skirt

Chic and stylish for a night out

What do you think? Will you be wearing anything sheer this fall or trying the trend early this season?

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Images:net-a-porter

As the transition from summer to fall fashion starts, there’s no better time to clean out your wardrobe and start planning on which pieces from previous seasons you can keep, should store or need to toss.

KEEP

Maxi dresses and Maxi skirts

Dark and earth-tone colors can be transitioned into the fall season

Maxi dresses and maxi skirts are still a strong 2011 fall fashion trend. If you have any that are solid-colored or in a print that can be transitioned to fall, go ahead and keep it in your closet for some winter wear. Thinking it may be too cold? Remember, you can always layer a cardigan or sweater with a maxi dress or skirt. See the how to wear a maxi skirt guide which has some pictures for inspiration.

Bright-colored pants

Keep bright pants for wear through fall!

Bold and bright pants and jeans were so hot for spring and summer. The good news is, they’re totally hot for fall too. If you already have a pair of red pants or another fun hue, keep them in your closet; this trend has staying power.

Wide-leg pants

Loving that 70s vibe

That 70s vibe has been oh-so-enchanting this season, with billowy tops and wide-leg pants everywhere. Personally, I’ve always thought a great-fitting pair of wide-leg jeans/trousers is pretty classic. And if you picked up a pair for the spring, they’re staying on trend through the fall too.

STORE

Little white dress

Store that little white dress for use next spring

Just like its classic counter part, the little black dress, the LWD is one “trend” that’s barely even a trend, it’s a spring/summer staple. While you won’t be able to get much mileage out of summery white dresses this fall, go ahead and store them in your closet for some revival come the spring 2012 season.

Floppy hats

Always chic-save for summer!

I love a wide floppy hat. They’re perfect for poolside glamour, beachy days, or just strolling the streets on a nice summer day. This season, everyone from Shopbop to Target carried a variety of glamorous picks. Store these babies for next season when you’re sure to be able to use them again.

TOSS

Jumpsuits

The one-piece look? Totally over it.

Sure, I’m still seeing jumpsuits and rompers in stores. But that doesn’t mean it should be worn. After all, crocs and blinged-out Ed Hardy is still in stores too. Unless you’re an infant or under the age of 12, go ahead and toss those one-piece jumpsuits and playsuits.

Flatforms

Flatforms? No thanks.

Did anyone ever really embrace this trend anyway? Flatforms have to be one of  the ugliest spring 2011 fashion trends I’ve seen in awhile. If you did pick up a pair, they may be better off at Goodwill.

What fashion trends are you keeping in your closet for use through the fall 2011 season?

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My mailbox is already packed with fall fashion magazines. It’s my favorite time of year. I get to ogle over beautiful coats, dramatic dresses, sexy boots, gloves–I heart fall fashion. But it isn’t quite time to transition to fall fashion yet. At least not here where it’s a humid 100 degrees today and it would take a nutty blogger to tell you to start your transition by layering with a cardigan. Yeah, no thanks.

Instead, it’s the perfect time of year to stock up on summer fashions which are on clearance just about everywhere. (Bliss Boutique is one that’s having 50% off all summer staples this week!)  It’s also the perfect time to start stocking up on fall fashion items that you can actually wear–now!

One fun fall 2011 fashion trend you can start wearing now is the bold, bright pant. Like candy-colored shorts and the fun-colored jeans we saw for spring/summer 2011, the fall pants are fun, funky and refreshing. Especially for a season that’s normally known for it’s moody grays and blacks.

Yigal Azrouel, Karen Walker, Prabal Gurung, 3.1 Philip Lim

The best part is, not only can you start wearing them now (after all, what could possibly be more summery than some bright-colored pants?!) they come in all types of silhouettes too: from straight-leg to the high-waisted variety, you’re likely to find a hot hue that suits you.

If you aren’t sure how to wear the trend, try a white or nude-colored blouse. A crisp white button down also makes for an always-classic look. For the more daring, a top in the same color scheme, but a bit more subtle, is also a chic look.

What do you think? Will you try some funky-colored pants for fall, or maybe even now?

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Image: Refinery29

I may have waxed on the other day about my inability to find well-fitting shorts, but if you don’t have this problem, one of my favorite summer fashion trends is bright, candy-colored shorts. They’re bold, fresh and super cute.

Something about bright-colored shorts to me screams effortless style. Just throw on a white, nude or bold-colored top (if you dare) and wedges or sandals and you’re good to go. And we all love easy, breezy style. Doesn’t get much simpler than that!

What do you think? Are you wearing some fun-colored shorts this summer?

Shorts: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

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Just Cavalli, Thakoon Edition, James Perse

Every once in awhile, there comes a fashion trend that totally intimidates me or takes me awhile to embrace (sometimes both.) This season, it’s the maxi skirt which is oh-so-hot for summer.

What’s the big deal?

At first glance, it reminded me of those awful prairie and peasant skirts that were in style in the 90s. Also, something only Nicole Richie, Kate Hudson or another bohemian princess could pull off.

I am not even close to channeling the hippie-chic vibe. But the new maxi skirt is so not. There’s column skirts, patterned skirts, pleated skirts, sheer skirts, striped skirts–tons to choose from!

The problem then is, how to the heck do you style the piece? Here’s 7 ways to wear a maxi skirt to get you going.

1. Try a cropped top

Just like you would with a pair of high-waisted jeans, a cropped top looks great with a high-waisted maxi skirt.  I like how this updated version isn’t exactly a midriff but isn’t quite fitted either.

2. Belt it

One of my favorite ways I’ve seen the maxi skirt styled is with a belt. Even with a loose top like the photo above, the style is still relaxed and chic.

3. Show some leg

Maxi skirts are so long it’s ok to show a little skin! This Thakoon maxi skirt is seriously sexy; paired with high heels and accessorized right, it’s a great example of how a maxi skirt is more than just casual wear, it’s totally cocktail hour appropriate.

4. Try a print

A printed maxi, like this Just Cavalli satin maxi, is an easy way to get effortless style. Paired with a loose blouse and some heels, the look is very resort-chic.

5. Try striped

I’m totally obsessing over striped maxis for summer. There’s so fresh, so fun, so very summer! Don’t forget to don some heels or wedges for some extra height.

6. Try a simple tee

A simple tucked-in tee is quite chic with this Asos maxi. This is probably my favorite way to wear the look as it looks effortlessly stylish.

7. Go GLAM

Seriously, how glamorous is this Lanvin printed silk-blend lamé maxi skirt. I’m obsessed. The thigh-high slit, sheer top and skirt with just the right amount of shine totally steals the show.

What do you think? Are you feeling maxi skirts this season?

Maxi skirts

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I hate shorts. I kind of always have.

When I was 12, I decided it was totally disgusting to sit down and see your thigh fat splatter all over your seat. I wasn’t fat by any means (I couldn’t even fit into a Junior’s zero at the time) but the sight of leg goo flattening out everywhere totally freaked me out.

Since then, I’ve become a little less dramatic, but have always had a love-hate relationship with shorts. Mostly because it seems they’re just out to make you feel bad.

But what really gets under my skin is the thigh situation. And why I can’t seem to find shorts that don’t want to shrink-wrap themselves around them.

You see shorts, for whatever reason, have a wonderful way of making you feel like a cow. Because I can’t for the life of me find shorts that fit like this:

Current Elliot purple denim shorts. Aren't they darling?

She looks so relaxed. So chic. So comfy. Notice how the shorts do not touch her thighs at all!

This makes me wonder, though, are shorts designers convinced that women’s thighs should be no larger than a tomato? Mine aren’t. But they aren’t fat either. But it seems like the denim Gods are trying to tell me otherwise.

Jennifer Lopez has a lot of booty to accomodate!

I do not want shorts that fit like the above. If I wanted denim that fit like spandex, I’d stick to leggings thank you very much.

Can I go another size up for a bigger leg hole? Not unless I want to have the dreaded gaping hole in the back that causes the ever-so-lovely Plumber’s Crack.

Yikes!

So what’s a girl to do?

With shorts, it seems as if I’m being told my waist and thighs are not the right proportion. As if we didn’t have enough insecurities and things to obsess about! I wear a size 2; why is it so difficult to find shorts that aren’t suction-cupped to my thighs? Are they too shapely? (I dunno.) Too Latina? (Maybe.) Am I not doing enough lunges? (Yes.) Should I just know better and skip shorts altogether? I hope not!

I’ve talked to all my friends and know I’m not the only one. They all have the same issue: perfect fit on waist, not so much on the thighs. So now, I’m just on a mission.

The latest success I’ve had is at more “women’s” stores (i.e. Ann Taylor and the like instead of Forever 21). But that ultimately defeats the purpose of getting cute, youthful, trendy shorts! It’s summer dammit. I want some cute cutoffs the college girls are wearing. I want a collection of all the bold bright colors that are so in this season. I do NOT want mom shorts. And I do not want to pay the same price as my designer jean counterparts. (It’s not as much material being used, right? Same pricing hardly seems fair.)

Gals, please tell me, are there any stores/lines to try for shorts that actually fit?? Any fashion items that make you totally nutty too?

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I’m not huge on buying accessories. Especially online. But not long ago, a Gilt Groupe sale on Gorjana jewelry stole my heart away. It was one of the few times where what I bought online was just as lovely (if not more so!) in real life.

I’ve actually long been a fan of Gorjana jewelry; I love the simple, yet elegant designs that are both modern and classic. If you aren’t familiar with the line, meet Gorjana:

If you’re looking to stock up on some spring accessories, now’s the time! FabSugar is offering 67% off Gorjana jewelry! For $50 you can get $150 worth of accessories. Depending on what you choose, that can roughly be about three items for the price of one.

In addition to the necklaces and bracelets seen above, Gorjana also makes gorgeous leather accessories, too. Think quilted wallets, handbags, clutches and pretty belts.

You can get the discount coupon here.

Looks like I’ll be stocking up on some jewelry very soon!

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